PBA Opening 1979

PBA '79 unfolds at the Big Dome with an excuse that the aircon unit is off, and "could you please bear with us." So, April 1 is a big day to basketball fans. Unmindful of the heat, PBA fanatics swarm the red, green and main gates two hours before opening time which is four. At three, the bleachers is like Divisoria on Christmas Eve..Without doubt, PBA is summer spectacular plus, a quencher, a relief to the demands of the basketball lords, the fans. So the stage is set with no less than the internationally-acclaimed Pangkat Kawayan lilting the sweating crowd no sweat. The Aldeguer dancers set the mood, and the tempo is sounded. The hardcourt is now a make-believe fashion ramp. Statuesque models with satin sashes paraded with swan-like glides: Pearl Razon of Crispa; Regina Prada of Filmanbank; Chris Stuttard and Ann Rose Blas of Gilbey's Gin; Carolina Lacap of GTD; Beth de Mesa of Honda; Joanna Paras of Royal Tru-Orange; Bessie Badilla and Diane Bersano of Tanduay: Alicia Cuenca of Toyota; and Janet Bordon of Utex.

The skippers come marching in uniforms of pastel and deep hues: Bong de la Cruz, Crispa; Larry Mumar, Filmanbank; Ernie de Leon, Gilbey's Gin; Johnny Re- villa, GTD; Jesse Sullano, Honda; Yoyong Martirez, RTO; Rene Canent, Tanduay; Robert Jawroski, Toyota; and Roy Deles Utex, And to add lustre to the carnivalish opening (punctuated by the emcee's excited voice), the mainer of the evening, the Crispa-Toyota tussle as if you don't know, is heralded by a medley of dance interpretations, courtesy of Crispa. 

The first game featuring last year's runner-up Filmanbank and the suddenly rejuvenated GTD is a sleeper. With both teams fantasizing with slow breaks, the excitement of the opening palabas goes to a skids. And it takes the entry of PBA giants Crispa and Toyota to shake the legs of those who are already in near-slumber.